How to Travel Safely for the Holidays
Many people are on the roads during the Holiday Season, so car accidents are not unusual. In the 2015 holiday season, for example, more than 20,000 accidents took place, leading to nearly 200 deaths. To protect your family, you will need to use many of the same precautions that you used during a summer road trip. Read on for more information.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Unfortunately, alcohol was implicated in over 40% of all collisions during the 2015 holiday season. The number one thing you can do to protect yourself is not to drink before getting in your vehicle. Alcohol has many well-known negative effects on driving, including slowing down your reflexes and encouraging risky behavior.
If you want some spiked eggnog at a holiday party, then make sure someone sober is available to drive. Otherwise, you should see whether you can spend the night until the alcohol wears off. Those traveling very short distances should look into getting a cab or Uber to travel to and from the party.
Wear a Seatbelt
Seatbelt use was also implicated in about 20% of crashes during prior holiday seasons. Without a seatbelt, you are more likely to suffer a devastating injury. Make sure all children are in age-approved booster or car seats.
Avoid Distracted Driving
You might be running late and want to shoot off a quick text to your mother telling her you’ll be an hour late. If you want to text (or call or email), make sure you are pulled over to the side of the road. Distracted driving impedes reflexes and judgment more than alcohol use, so ask a passenger to send a text for you.
Take a Nap Before Driving
Eating a heavy meal draws blood to your stomach and away from your brain. This is the number one reason people feel sleepy after eating a large meal. To recharge, try to take a short nap so that you will be refreshed when you get in the car again. Coffee and stimulants like No-Doze can help a little, but there is no substitute for being fully rested.
Travel Safely with Pets
If you’re taking your dogs or cats to go visit, then be sure to transport them carefully. Ideally, you could leave them at home, but if you want to take them then get a harness or a carrier. Cats can go in a carrier. The key is to restrain your pets so they do not get to the front of the car and either surprise you or make it hard to focus.
Bundza & Rodriguez Wishes You a Happy and Safe Holiday Season
The holidays might be stressful, but with proper planning you should safely arrive at the New Year. If not, and you suffer an injury because of someone else’s negligence, you might be able to bring a lawsuit.
Bundza & Rodriguez’s Daytona Beach personal injury lawyers are available to meet with you to discuss your accident. Please reach out by calling 386-252-5170 today. If you delay, you are only hurting your case.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/2016/11/01/travel-safely-holiday-season-arrive-alive/